Advertise on podcast: Now It's Legal with Jim Cavale

In Part Two of Now It’s Legal’s conversation with DeMaurice Smith, the focus shifts from the NFL to college athletics and the structural failures now playing out in real time. Drawing on his experience leading the NFLPA through multiple collective bargaining agreements, Smith explains why college sports are facing unprecedented instability: a lack of accountability, no collective bargaining framework, fragmented leadership and decision-making driven by emotion rather than rational business strategy.

In the 2026 season premiere of Now It’s Legal, host Jim Cavale and Athletes.org co-founder Brandon Copeland sit down with former NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice “De” Smith, who led the NFLPA from 2009–2023. The conversation traces Smith’s unexpected path to union leadership, the motivations behind his book Turf Wars and the existential battle between NFL players and league ownership that culminated in the landmark 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In this week’s episode of Now It’s Legal, Jim Cavale sits down with Chris Ogden, General Manager of Texas Men’s Basketball, to unpack the complexities of building a competitive roster in the modern era of college sports. Ogden shares how his role as part recruiter, part negotiator, part strategist, has rapidly evolved amidst a chaotic landscape of NIL, the transfer portal and the House settlement. He explains how retention, culture, fit and long-term development must now be balanced with real-time market pressures and limited structure. Despite the volatility, Ogden advocates for standardized contracts, shared rules and a sustainable model for athletes and programs alike.

In this episode of Now It’s Legal, Jim Cavale sits down with UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham to discuss the future of college athletics amid growing legal, economic and structural challenges. Cunningham shares insights on his planned transition from the AD role and the strategic decision to bring in Steve Newmark, a professional with broad business experience. The conversation dives deep into the evolving economic model in college sports, emphasizing the urgent need for enforceable rules, potential for collective bargaining and the consequences of inaction, including the loss of Olympic sports and further institutional disruption. In this episode, Cunningham advocates for a realistic, measured path forward all while highlighting the importance of leadership, collaboration and fresh perspectives in solving the challenges facing college athletics today.

Mark Byington is currently the head coach of the Vanderbilt University men’s basketball team. Prior to this role, he was the head coach at James Madison University, leading the team to its most successful four-season run in more than 30 years. From 2013-2020, Mark was the head coach at Georgia Southern, achieving three-consecutive 20-win seasons. Before becoming a head coach, he was an assistant coach at Virginia Tech and the College of Charleston. Mark joins Now It’s Legal to discuss his current role as the head coach of the Vanderbilt University men’s basketball team, and his experience reconstructing the team through the NCAA transfer portal during his first season....About Now It's Legal   In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.   We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.        Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.        In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.        Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this summer and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Andy Kennedy is currently the head coach of the University of Alabama Birmingham men’s basketball team, leading them to two March Madness appearances. His coaching career began as an assistant at the University of South Alabama from 1994-1995. Andy was also an assistant coach at UAB and the University of Cincinnati before becoming Cincinnati’s interim head coach. From 2006-2018, Andy was the head coach of the University of Mississippi men’s basketball team.  Andy joins Now It’s Legal to discuss his coaching career at UAB and Ole Miss, and his thoughts on the current landscape of college athletics.  . . . About Now It's Legal   In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.   We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.        Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.        In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.        Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this summer and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Josh Pastner is currently the head coach of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas men’s basketball team. He played on the 1997 National Championship team at the University of Arizona before becoming their assistant coach from 2002-2008. During the 2008-2009 season, Josh was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Memphis before taking the role of head coach of the men’s basketball team until 2016. He is the second winningest head coach for the first seven seasons in the history of Tigers basketball. Josh was the head coach of Georgia Tech from 2016-2023. Josh joins Now It’s Legal to discuss his involvement with the transfer portal at UNLV, adapting to and embracing the ever-changing landscape of college basketball....About Now It's Legal   In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.      We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.       Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.       In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.       Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this summer and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

John Talty is an award-winning national college sports reporter for CBS Sports. He is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of his book, "The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban: How Alabama's Coach Became the Greatest Ever." Armen Keteyian is an 11-time Emmy award-winning television journalist, previously a CBS News correspondent and a Sports Illustrated writer-reporter. John and Armen are co-authors of their book, “The Price: What It Takes to Win in College Football’s Era of Chaos.” John and Armen join Now It’s Legal to discuss their co-authored book that includes an in-depth dive into the “Wild West” of college athletics: NIL, endorsements, the transfer portal and the effect this chaos has on premier college coaches and athletes....About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.    We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.    Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.    In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.    Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this summer and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Diego Pavia is currently a quarterback for the Vanderbilt University Commodores. He previously played for New Mexico State, leading them to a 10-5 record which included beating Auburn. In December 2023, Diego entered the transfer portal before transferring to Vanderbilt in January 2024. He led the Commodores to the Birmingham Bowl, their first bowl game since 2018, where he was named MVP. Diego also led the team to an upset victory against Alabama — the program's first win over Alabama since 1984.  Diego joins Now It’s Legal to discuss winning an injunction against the NCAA, allowing him to enter the transfer portal and play in 2025. ...About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.    We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.    Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.    In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.    Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this spring and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Johnny Manziel is a former NFL quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Out of high school, he was nationally recruited as a redshirt freshman for Texas A&M. He broke numerous NCAA Division I FBS and SEC records, including being the first freshman and fifth player in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in one season, and was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, the Manning Award and the Davey O'Brien Award. Johnny was selected by the Browns in the 2014 NFL draft as the 22nd overall pick, playing for two seasons.  Johnny joins Now It’s Legal to discuss his nationally recognized and record-breaking college football career and his perspective of playing in the NCCA.  .  . . About Now It's Legal  In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.      We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.      Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.      In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.      Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this fall and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Gloria Nevarez is the second commissioner in the history of the Mountain West Conference, with almost 30 years of experience in college athletics. Previously, she had been the fourth full-time commissioner of the West Coast Conference and is the first Hispanic American to become a commissioner of an NCAA Division I conference. Prior to her WCC commissioner role, Gloria was an administrator at the WCC, the Pac-12 Conference, University of Oklahoma, University of California, Berkeley and San Jose State University. Gloria joins Now It’s Legal to discuss her comprehensive five-year strategic plan, “Ascend Together: Our Path to Excellence”, which showcases the league’s core values-based principles: Competitive Excellence, Academic Achievement, Integrity, Relentless Drive, and Community and Inclusion. ...About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes. We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics. Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks. In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes. Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this fall and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Tim Pernetti is the commissioner of the American Athletic Conference and former director of intercollegiate athletics at Rutgers University. From 1994 to 2003, Tim worked for ABC Sports and held several media positions, and from 2001 to 2009, he was a football analyst for Rutgers Football and Sports USA Radio’s NFL coverage. In 2009, Tim became the youngest director of intercollegiate athletics in college sports — overseeing 24 sports, business engagements, NCAA relationships, the Big East/Big Ten Conference, donors and alumni.Tim joins Now It’s Legal to discuss his role as the commissioner of the American Athletic Conference, as well as his career as director of intercollegiate athletics at Rutgers University — and highlighting the importance of building these relationships in the NCAA. . ..About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.    We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.    Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.    In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.    Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this fall and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Malcolm Jenkins is a former NFL player and Super Bowl champion. After earning All-American honors during his college football career at Ohio State University, and winning the Jim Thorpe Award, he was a first round draft pick for the New Orleans Saints in 2009. From 2014 - 2019, Malcolm played for the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2018. He returned to New Orleans in 2020 before announcing his retirement in 2022. Malcolm joins Now It's Legal to discuss The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, a nonprofit charity with the goal to create positive change in youths' lives by providing resources and opportunities that will help them succeed, as well as the Players Coalition, which he co-founded with retired NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin, to organize NFL players’ fight for social and racial equality. Buy Malcolm's Book: https://a.co/d/eNqWEK2...About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.    We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.    Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.    In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.    Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this fall and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Sandy Barbour is a former athletic director who served at the Pennsylvania State University, the University of California, Berkeley and Tulane University. In 2020, Sandy was on Sports Illustrated’s "The Unrelenting" list of powerful, influential and outstanding women in sports, and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top executives in sports. Sandy is a member of the NCAA Football Oversight Committee and represents the Big Ten Conference on the NCAA Division I Council. Sandy joins Now It’s Legal to discuss her involvement in the NCAA Football Oversight Committee and the NCAA Division I Council, making decisions that focus on enhancing the overall student-athlete experience and promoting athletes’ personal growth and leadership development.... About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.     We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.     Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.     In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.     Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this fall and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.

Jack Swarbrick is the former athletic director at the University of Notre Dame. During Jack’s 28 years of practicing law, he was a partner at Baker & Daniels and represented USA gymnastics as general counsel. He then served as Notre Dame’s athletic director from 2008 through 2024, experiencing many on-and off-the-field athletic achievements. He was also a member of the 2023 Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on NIL.  Jack joins Now It’s Legal to discuss his initiatives to improve the college athletics model and overall student-athlete experience, including working with Congress to provide competitive equity across collegiate sports. ...About Now It's Legal In July 2021, NIL forever changed the trajectory of college athletics. It’s been a long time coming as the NCAA has long needed changes like NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing and other benefits for college athletes.    We introduce to you the Now It’s Legal podcast. Join us as we discuss the industry that holds the hearts of millions of fans who want to understand where its trajectory is heading. We are talking to those who are invested in and affected by NIL including: Former and current college athletes, presidents and head coaches, broadcasters and media personalities, investors and more. This is just the beginning of NIL and what it means for the future of college athletics.    Host Jim Cavale is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has become an advocate for young athletes across the country. In 2017, he created the INFLCR app that allowed athletes to build their brand on social media, and in 2021, evolved into the NIL management technology for more than 100,000 athletes across 200 college athletic programs. INFLCR has since been acquired by sports tech titan, Teamworks.    In 2023, Jim founded Athletes.org which which is the players association for college athletes to negotiate the best terms for their college athletics experience. AO provides its member athletes with a free membership, empowering them with a voice, on demand support, and group licensing income in the same ways that professional league associations do for their member athletes.    Tune in to a new episode on Wednesdays this fall and join in on the conversation on Instagram with @nowitslegalpod and @jimcavale.